Fenerbahçe vs Man Utd: Red Devils' Performance Under the Istanbul Lights
Okay, let's be real, the Red Devils didn't exactly light up the Fenerbahçe Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium last night. It was a tough one, a real grind against a strong Turkish side. But, hey, we're through to the next round of the Europa League, so that's what matters, right?
So, how did the lads actually perform? Let's break it down...
The Man Utd Player Ratings:
David de Gea (7/10): De Gea was his usual solid self, making some key saves to keep the Turks at bay. He's definitely a reliable presence in goal, even if he can sometimes get a little shaky.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka (6/10): Aaron had a solid game, doing his defensive duties well. But, let's be honest, he wasn't exactly lighting up the pitch going forward. He's still a work in progress,
Victor Lindelöf (7/10): Lindelöf was the rock of the backline, his composure and experience were evident. He's really settling in well at the back, and he's becoming one of our most reliable defenders.
Harry Maguire (7/10): Harry Maguire was his usual dominant self. He was a real leader out there, making some important tackles and clearing the danger.
Luke Shaw (6/10): Luke looked a bit rusty, he wasn't his usual attacking threat. He's still recovering from injury, so we'll have to give him a little time to get back to his best.
Scott McTominay (6/10): Scott was a tireless worker in midfield, but I think he was a little bit off his game. He's probably still feeling the effects of that long injury lay-off.
Fred (7/10): Fred had a decent game, showing his usual energy and dynamism. He was also a bit of a nuisance for the Fenerbahçe defense, which is always a good thing.
Bruno Fernandes (7/10): Bruno was the main creative force in midfield, pulling the strings and creating chances. However, his finishing wasn't up to its usual standard.
Jadon Sancho (6/10): Jadon showed flashes of brilliance, but he wasn't able to create much of an impact. He's still a bit inconsistent, but I think he's got the potential to be a real game-changer for us.
Anthony Martial (8/10): Anthony was a real threat throughout the game. He was sharp, decisive, and scored the winning goal. He's definitely back in form!
Cristiano Ronaldo (6/10): I'm not going to lie, I was expecting more from Ronaldo, but he just wasn't able to find his groove. He’s not quite the goal machine he used to be, but he still poses a huge threat.
Subs:
Marcus Rashford (7/10): Rashford came on and added some much-needed energy, he was a bit of a handful for the Fenerbahçe defence.
Overall, it wasn't the most convincing performance from United, but they got the job done, which is all that matters. We'll have to be much better if we want to go all the way in this competition, though!
What are your thoughts on the game? Let me know in the comments below!